INTERVIEW: Charley on performing Taylor Swift at Night At The Barracks
Published: 20 August 2024
Image: Simon Fazio
Since she burst onto the music scene in 2021 with her debut single ‘Hard For Me’, Charley has become one of Australia’s brightest young talents.
Her music covers upbeat electronic pop as well as emotional ballads, and with her acclaimed debut EP TIMEBOMBS released last year, Charley has accumulated streams in the millions alongside a Top 4 finish in 2022’s Eurovision Australia Decides. and an ARIA Award nomination in 2023 for Breakthrough Artist. In June this year she released her latest single, a pared back, emotive version of Paramore’s ‘Still Into You’.
This September, Charley will be performing at the Night Of The Barracks festival as part of the Taylor Made: A Taylor Swift Tribute concert. Alongside acclaimed performers Alex The Astronaut, Clare Bowditch, Clementine Ford, Emily Wurramara and Lucy Durack, Charley will be performing some of Swift’s biggest hits. The show will perform on 29 September as part of the month long festival, with tickets on sale now.
We recently caught up with Charley to talk all about the upcoming show and her music.
Hi Charley! Thanks so much for taking the time to fill in this Q&A. How's life with you right now?
Hi! Life is pretty good right now! I Just came back from an overseas trip in the UK and USA writing for my next project, so I’m very excited to be working on that!
You will be performing at this years Night At The Barracks as part of Taylor Made: A Taylor Swift Tribute. Tell us a little part of what we can expect from this show, and what your part in it is?
Yes I am! This show is wonderful. It’s full of some of your fav Australian artists of every genre celebrating all Taylor Swift! Clementine Ford has such wise words to say during this show as well that I love hearing so I think every person that comes will feel very empowered after!
Taylor Swift has become one of the most important artists of this generation. What do you think it is about Swift that makes her so exceptional?
There’s not just one thing about what makes her exceptional, it’s ALL of the work she’s put in since the start of her career! I am obsessed with her little easter eggs that she’s worked into everything she does as well.
What is your favourite Swift song to perform?
My favourite has to be ‘You Belong With Me’! This song just does something to me with all of the melody choices/lyrics.
You are performing in this show with a number of other exceptional female Australian performers. As a solo performer, what is it like performing with an ensemble cast? I imagine the vibe and creativity is completely different (in a good way!)
Yes, everyone is SO different from one another and I love that part about music! All of the artists that are on the show are so warm and welcoming as well, so it’s felt a little bit like high school camp to be honest!
Your most recent single was a pared back version of the Paramore classic ‘Still Into You’. It is such a gorgeous version of the track, can you tell us about the background of this cover, why you chose to record it and flip it on its head and turn it into a tender ballad?
Paramore was one of the first albums I ever bought and became obsessed with them and Hayley’s vocal techniques at a really young age! I can’t put my finger on why I love “Still Into You” so much but I think it’s so beautifully put into words how someone can be in love with someone for so long no matter what they’ve gone through and no matter what obstacle came in the way - I strive to have that sort of love one day. For now it’ll just be one sided lol.
Do you have any more new releases planned that you can tell us about?
I do! I am releasing a song with an Australian artist in late August that I’m very excited about! We are keeping it secret for now though!
You have had achieved so much in your music since releasing your first single in 2021. How do you think you have developed as an artist over the past 3 years?
Thank you so much. Honestly it’s all still day by day and I don’t ever stop learning about music / the industry. I’m trying to figure out how to be less stressed in the moment about it all and just enjoy it as it is - but I am a perfectionist and if you’ve watched Inside Out 2, I am basically “anxiety” 24/7. In saying that, I’ve learned to trust my gut a lot more on creative decisions, or musically!
Taylor Made: A Taylor Swift Tribute at Night At The Barracks is coming up in September, what else is on the cards for you in 2024?
Apart from shows and some single releases, this year is all focused around working on the next project and making sure I take my time with it so it’s perfect!
Taylor Made: A Taylor Swift Tribute will be performed as part of Night At The Barracks on 29 September at North Head, Manly. Tickets are on sale now here.
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